Adhesive wound dressing

ABSTRACT

An adhesive wound dressing is disclosed herein. The adhesive wound dressing comprises a first layer that is an outer layer. A second layer is a resilient layer and affixed to an inner surface of the first layer. A third layer is an inner gauze dressing and affixed to an inner surface of the second layer, wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layer define a generally tubular configuration having an open end and a closed end. An adhesive layer may be applied adjacent to the open end for configured securing the adhesive wound dressing to a wounded body part subsequent to the wounded body part being inserted within the open end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of theU.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 62/742,419 entitled “AHIGHLY CONFORMABLE ADHESIVE WOUND DRESSING FOR DISTAL EXTREMITIES”,filed on 7 Oct. 2018 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of thisrelated provisional application are incorporated herein by reference forall purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistentherewith or limiting hereof.

RELATED CO-PENDING U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS

N/A

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF SEQUENCE LISTING PROVIDED AS A TEXT FILE

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection by the author thereof. Thecopyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyoneof the patent document or patent disclosure for the purposes ofreferencing as patent prior art, as it appears in the Patent andTrademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves allcopyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE RELEVANT PRIOR ART

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to an adhesivewound dressing. More particularly, certain embodiments of the inventionrelates to an adhesive wound dressing that may be applied to distalextremities of a human body.

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.Conventionally, many different materials of diverse origins have beenused to treat wounds by absorbing wound fluids and tissue from a woundsite with different kinds of absorbent material. In recent times, theuse of wound care products containing patches made of polymericmaterials has become increasingly accepted practice in controllingdifferent parameters associated with a wound site, e.g., water vapor,oxygen permeability, bacterial impermeability, and absorption of thewound fluids and tissues.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that,while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as toadditional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limitingthe present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated orimplied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background,another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is thatmoisture-retentive wound dressings have become an increasingly acceptedform of dressing in treating wounds, in particular pressure sores andulcers. Different types of wound dressing structures have been developedin the art and generally include means for receiving, absorbing, andretaining the wound fluids and tissues. These means typically includepolymeric foams, polymeric films, particulate and fibrous polymers,hydrogels, and hydrocolloids. These types of dressings are typicallydesigned for covering wounds that occur on flat or substantially flatsurfaces of the human body.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniquesare not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematic views of conventional adhesive wounddressings.

FIG. 2A through FIG. 3B illustrate different views of an adhesive wounddressing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate perspective views depicting the adhesivewound dressing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, being deployed on a user's finger.

FIG. 5A through FIG. 6B illustrate different views of an adhesive wounddressing, in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 8B illustrate perspective views depicting the adhesivewound dressing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, being deployed on a user's finger.

FIG. 9A illustrates a schematic view of a scrim material used in theconventional adhesive dressings.

FIG. 9B illustrates a schematic view of a scrim material used in anadhesive wound dressing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates exemplary single (discrete) adhesive wound dressingcut from a continuous, hollow, bi-axial braided tube manufacturingmethod.

FIG. 11 illustrates alternative, exemplary single (discrete) adhesivewound dressing from a continuous, flat, woven web manufacturing method.

FIG. 12 illustrates alternative exemplary adhesive wound dressing,manufactured using a knitting technique.

FIG. 13 illustrates a joining lace used in the adhesive wound dressing,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate views of the adhesive wound dressing beingdeployed on a user's finger.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to theFigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled inthe art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention,recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, dependingupon the needs of the particular application, to implement thefunctionality of any given detail described herein, beyond theparticular implementation choices in the following embodiments describedand shown. That is, there are modifications and variations of theinvention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within thescope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as pluraland vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, whereappropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply thatthe two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limitedto the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturingtechniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary.It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is notintended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be notedthat as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is areference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof knownto those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a referenceto “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or meansand may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions usedare to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, theword “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical“or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the contextclearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to beunderstood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures.Language that may be construed to express approximation should be sounderstood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

All words of approximation as used in the present disclosure and claimsshould be construed to mean “approximate,” rather than “perfect,” andmay accordingly be employed as a meaningful modifier to any other word,specified parameter, quantity, quality, or concept. Words ofapproximation, include, yet are not limited to terms such as“substantial”, “nearly”, “almost”, “about”, “generally”, “largely”,“essentially”, “closely approximate”, etc.

As will be established in some detail below, it is well settled law, asearly as 1939, that words of approximation are not indefinite in theclaims even when such limits are not defined or specified in thespecification.

For example, see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App.1941) where the court said “The examiner has held that most of theclaims are inaccurate because apparently the laminar film will not beentirely eliminated. The claims specify that the film is “substantially”eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believed that the slightportion of the film which may remain is negligible. We are of the view,therefore, that the claims may be regarded as sufficiently accurate.”

Note that claims need only “reasonably apprise those skilled in the art”as to their scope to satisfy the definiteness requirement. See EnergyAbsorption Sys., Inc. v. Roadway Safety Servs., Inc., Civ. App. 96-1264,slip op. at 10 (Fed. Cir. Jul. 3, 1997) (unpublished) Hybridtech v.Monoclonal Antibodies, Inc., 802 F.2d 1367, 1385, 231 USPQ 81, 94 (Fed.Cir. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 947 (1987). In addition, the use ofmodifiers in the claim, like “generally” and “substantial,” does not byitself render the claims indefinite. See Seattle Box Co. v. IndustrialCrating & Packing, Inc., 731 F.2d 818, 828-29, 221 USPQ 568, 575-76(Fed. Cir. 1984).

Moreover, the ordinary and customary meaning of terms like“substantially” includes “reasonably close to: nearly, almost, about”,connoting a term of approximation. See In re Frye, Appeal No.2009-006013, 94 USPQ2d 1072, 1077, 2010 WL 889747 (B.P.A.I. 2010)Depending on its usage, the word “substantially” can denote eitherlanguage of approximation or language of magnitude. Deering PrecisionInstruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distribution Sys., Inc., 347 F.3d 1314,1323 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (recognizing the “dual ordinary meaning of th[e]term [“substantially”] as connoting a term of approximation or a term ofmagnitude”). Here, when referring to the “substantially halfway”limitation, the Specification uses the word “approximately” as asubstitute for the word “substantially” (Fact 4). (Fact 4). The ordinarymeaning of “substantially halfway” is thus reasonably close to or nearlyat the midpoint between the forwardmost point of the upper or outsoleand the rearwardmost point of the upper or outsole.

Similarly, the term ‘substantially’ is well recognize in case law tohave the dual ordinary meaning of connoting a term of approximation or aterm of magnitude. See Dana Corp. v. American Axle & Manufacturing,Inc., Civ. App. 04-1116, 2004 U.S. App. LEXIS 18265, *13-14 (Fed. Cir.Aug. 27, 2004) (unpublished). The term “substantially” is commonly usedby claim drafters to indicate approximation. See Cordis Corp. v.Medtronic AVE Inc., 339 F.3d 1352, 1360 (Fed. Cir. 2003) (“The patentsdo not set out any numerical standard by which to determine whether thethickness of the wall surface is ‘substantially uniform.’ The term‘substantially,’ as used in this context, denotes approximation. Thus,the walls must be of largely or approximately uniform thickness.”); seealso Deering Precision Instruments, LLC v. Vector Distribution Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 1322 (Fed. Cir. 2003); Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v.Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022, 1031 (Fed. Cir. 2002). We findthat the term “substantially” was used in just such a manner in theclaims of the patents-in-suit: “substantially uniform wall thickness”denotes a wall thickness with approximate uniformity.

It should also be noted that such words of approximation as contemplatedin the foregoing clearly limits the scope of claims such as saying‘generally parallel’ such that the adverb ‘generally’ does not broadenthe meaning of parallel. Accordingly, it is well settled that such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing (e.g., like the phrase‘generally parallel’) envisions some amount of deviation from perfection(e.g., not exactly parallel), and that such words of approximation ascontemplated in the foregoing are descriptive terms commonly used inpatent claims to avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specifiedparameter. To the extent that the plain language of the claims relyingon such words of approximation as contemplated in the foregoing areclear and uncontradicted by anything in the written description hereinor the figures thereof, it is improper to rely upon the present writtendescription, the figures, or the prosecution history to add limitationsto any of the claim of the present invention with respect to such wordsof approximation as contemplated in the foregoing. That is, under suchcircumstances, relying on the written description and prosecutionhistory to reject the ordinary and customary meanings of the wordsthemselves is impermissible. See, for example, Liquid Dynamics Corp. v.Vaughan Co., 355 F.3d 1361, 69 USPQ2d 1595, 1600-01 (Fed. Cir. 2004).The plain language of phrase 2 requires a “substantial helical flow.”The term “substantial” is a meaningful modifier implying “approximate,”rather than “perfect.” In Cordis Corp. v. Medtronic AVE, Inc., 339 F.3d1352, 1361 (Fed. Cir. 2003), the district court imposed a precisenumeric constraint on the term “substantially uniform thickness.” Wenoted that the proper interpretation of this term was “of largely orapproximately uniform thickness” unless something in the prosecutionhistory imposed the “clear and unmistakable disclaimer” needed fornarrowing beyond this simple-language interpretation. Id. In Anchor WallSystems v. Rockwood Retaining Walls, Inc., 340 F.3d 1298, 1311 (Fed.Cir. 2003)” Id. at 1311. Similarly, the plain language of claim 1requires neither a perfectly helical flow nor a flow that returnsprecisely to the center after one rotation (a limitation that arisesonly as a logical consequence of requiring a perfectly helical flow).

The reader should appreciate that case law generally recognizes a dualordinary meaning of such words of approximation, as contemplated in theforegoing, as connoting a term of approximation or a term of magnitude;e.g., see Deering Precision Instruments, L.L.C. v. Vector Distrib. Sys.,Inc., 347 F.3d 1314, 68 USPQ2d 1716, 1721 (Fed. Cir. 2003), cert.denied, 124 S. Ct. 1426 (2004) where the court was asked to construe themeaning of the term “substantially” in a patent claim. Also see Epcon,279 F.3d at 1031 (“The phrase ‘substantially constant’ denotes languageof approximation, while the phrase ‘substantially below’ signifieslanguage of magnitude, i.e., not insubstantial.”). Also, see, e.g.,Epcon Gas Sys., Inc. v. Bauer Compressors, Inc., 279 F.3d 1022 (Fed.Cir. 2002) (construing the terms “substantially constant” and“substantially below”); Zodiac Pool Care, Inc. v. Hoffinger Indus.,Inc., 206 F.3d 1408 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (construing the term “substantiallyinward”); York Prods., Inc. v. Cent. Tractor Farm & Family Ctr., 99 F.3d1568 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially the entireheight thereof”); Tex. Instruments Inc. v. Cypress Semiconductor Corp.,90 F.3d 1558 (Fed. Cir. 1996) (construing the term “substantially in thecommon plane”). In conducting their analysis, the court instructed tobegin with the ordinary meaning of the claim terms to one of ordinaryskill in the art. Prima Tek, 318 F.3d at 1148. Reference to dictionariesand our cases indicates that the term “substantially” has numerousordinary meanings. As the district court stated, “substantially” canmean “significantly” or “considerably.” The term “substantially” canalso mean “largely” or “essentially.” Webster's New 20th CenturyDictionary 1817 (1983).

Words of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, may also beused in phrases establishing approximate ranges or limits, where the endpoints are inclusive and approximate, not perfect; e.g., see AK SteelCorp. v. Sollac, 344 F.3d 1234, 68 USPQ2d 1280, 1285 (Fed. Cir. 2003)where it where the court said [W]e conclude that the ordinary meaning ofthe phrase “up to about 10%” includes the “about 10%” endpoint. Aspointed out by AK Steel, when an object of the preposition “up to” isnonnumeric, the most natural meaning is to exclude the object (e.g.,painting the wall up to the door). On the other hand, as pointed out bySollac, when the object is a numerical limit, the normal meaning is toinclude that upper numerical limit (e.g., counting up to ten, seatingcapacity for up to seven passengers). Because we have here a numericallimit—“about 10%”—the ordinary meaning is that that endpoint isincluded.

In the present specification and claims, a goal of employment of suchwords of approximation, as contemplated in the foregoing, is to avoid astrict numerical boundary to the modified specified parameter, assanctioned by Pall Corp. v. Micron Separations, Inc., 66 F.3d 1211,1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229 (Fed. Cir. 1995) where it states “It is wellestablished that when the term “substantially” serves reasonably todescribe the subject matter so that its scope would be understood bypersons in the field of the invention, and to distinguish the claimedsubject matter from the prior art, it is not indefinite.” Likewise seeVerve LLC v. Crane Cams Inc., 311 F.3d 1116, 65 USPQ2d 1051, 1054 (Fed.Cir. 2002). Expressions such as “substantially” are used in patentdocuments when warranted by the nature of the invention, in order toaccommodate the minor variations that may be appropriate to secure theinvention. Such usage may well satisfy the charge to “particularly pointout and distinctly claim” the invention, 35 U.S.C. § 112, and indeed maybe necessary in order to provide the inventor with the benefit of hisinvention. In Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847 F.2d 819, 821-22,6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) the court explained that usagessuch as “substantially equal” and “closely approximate” may serve todescribe the invention with precision appropriate to the technology andwithout intruding on the prior art. The court again explained in EcolabInc. v. Envirochem, Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 1367, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179(Fed. Cir. 2001) that “like the term ‘about,’ the term ‘substantially’is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to ‘avoid a strictnumerical boundary to the specified parameter, see Ecolab Inc. v.Envirochem Inc., 264 F.3d 1358, 60 USPQ2d 1173, 1179 (Fed. Cir. 2001)where the court found that the use of the term “substantially” to modifythe term “uniform” does not render this phrase so unclear such thatthere is no means by which to ascertain the claim scope.

Similarly, other courts have noted that like the term “about,” the term“substantially” is a descriptive term commonly used in patent claims to“avoid a strict numerical boundary to the specified parameter.”; e.g.,see Pall Corp. v. Micron Seps., 66 F.3d 1211, 1217, 36 USPQ2d 1225, 1229(Fed. Cir. 1995); see, e.g., Andrew Corp. v. Gabriel Elecs. Inc., 847F.2d 819, 821-22, 6 USPQ2d 2010, 2013 (Fed. Cir. 1988) (noting thatterms such as “approach each other,” “close to,” “substantially equal,”and “closely approximate” are ubiquitously used in patent claims andthat such usages, when serving reasonably to describe the claimedsubject matter to those of skill in the field of the invention, and todistinguish the claimed subject matter from the prior art, have beenaccepted in patent examination and upheld by the courts). In this case,“substantially” avoids the strict 100% nonuniformity boundary.

Indeed, the foregoing sanctioning of such words of approximation, ascontemplated in the foregoing, has been established as early as 1939,see Ex parte Mallory, 52 USPQ 297, 297 (Pat. Off. Bd. App. 1941) where,for example, the court said “the claims specify that the film is“substantially” eliminated and for the intended purpose, it is believedthat the slight portion of the film which may remain is negligible. Weare of the view, therefore, that the claims may be regarded assufficiently accurate.” Similarly, In re Hutchison, 104 F.2d 829, 42USPQ 90, 93 (C.C.P.A. 1939) the court said “It is realized that“substantial distance” is a relative and somewhat indefinite term, orphrase, but terms and phrases of this character are not uncommon inpatents in cases where, according to the art involved, the meaning canbe determined with reasonable clearness.”

Hence, for at least the forgoing reason, Applicants submit that it isimproper for any examiner to hold as indefinite any claims of thepresent patent that employ any words of approximation.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods,techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods,techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein may be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention. Structures described herein are to be understood also torefer to functional equivalents of such structures. The presentinvention will be described in detail below with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

References to a “device,” an “apparatus,” a “system,” etc., in thepreamble of a claim should be construed broadly to mean “any structuremeeting the claim terms” exempt for any specific structure(s)/type(s)that has/(have) been explicitly disavowed or excluded oradmitted/implied as prior art in the present specification or incapableof enabling an object/aspect/goal of the invention. Furthermore, wherethe present specification discloses an object, aspect, function, goal,result, or advantage of the invention that a specific prior artstructure and/or method step is similarly capable of performing yet in avery different way, the present invention disclosure is intended to andshall also implicitly include and cover additional correspondingalternative embodiments that are otherwise identical to that explicitlydisclosed except that they exclude such prior art structure(s)/step(s),and shall accordingly be deemed as providing sufficient disclosure tosupport a corresponding negative limitation in a claim claiming suchalternative embodiment(s), which exclude such very different prior artstructure(s)/step(s) way(s).

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modificationswill be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations andmodifications may involve equivalent and other features which arealready known in the art, and which may be used instead of or inaddition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particularcombinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of thedisclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature orany novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly orimplicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates tothe same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or notit mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does thepresent invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments mayalso be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely,various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of asingle embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitablesubcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may beformulated to such features and/or combinations of such features duringthe prosecution of the present Application or of any further Applicationderived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,”“various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “embodiments of theinvention,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the inventionso described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but not every possible embodiment of the inventionnecessarily includes the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,”or “in an exemplary embodiment,” “an embodiment,” do not necessarilyrefer to the same embodiment, although they may. Moreover, any use ofphrases like “embodiments” in connection with “the invention” are nevermeant to characterize that all embodiments of the invention must includethe particular feature, structure, or characteristic, and should insteadbe understood to mean “at least some embodiments of the invention”include the stated particular feature, structure, or characteristic.

References to “user”, or any similar term, as used herein, may mean ahuman or non-human user thereof. Moreover, “user”, or any similar term,as used herein, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, is contemplatedto mean users at any stage of the usage process, to include, withoutlimitation, direct user(s), intermediate user(s), indirect user(s), andend user(s). The meaning of “user”, or any similar term, as used herein,should not be otherwise inferred or induced by any pattern(s) ofdescription, embodiments, examples, or referenced prior-art that may (ormay not) be provided in the present patent.

References to “end user”, or any similar term, as used herein, isgenerally intended to mean late stage user(s) as opposed to early stageuser(s). Hence, it is contemplated that there may be a multiplicity ofdifferent types of “end user” near the end stage of the usage process.Where applicable, especially with respect to distribution channels ofembodiments of the invention comprising consumed retailproducts/services thereof (as opposed to sellers/vendors or OriginalEquipment Manufacturers), examples of an “end user” may include, withoutlimitation, a “consumer”, “buyer”, “customer”, “purchaser”, “shopper”,“enjoyer”, “viewer”, or individual person or non-human thing benefitingin any way, directly or indirectly, from use of. or interaction, withsome aspect of the present invention.

In some situations, some embodiments of the present invention mayprovide beneficial usage to more than one stage or type of usage in theforegoing usage process. In such cases where multiple embodimentstargeting various stages of the usage process are described, referencesto “end user”, or any similar term, as used therein, are generallyintended to not include the user that is the furthest removed, in theforegoing usage process, from the final user therein of an embodiment ofthe present invention.

Where applicable, especially with respect to retail distributionchannels of embodiments of the invention, intermediate user(s) mayinclude, without limitation, any individual person or non-human thingbenefiting in any way, directly or indirectly, from use of, orinteraction with, some aspect of the present invention with respect toselling, vending, Original Equipment Manufacturing, marketing,merchandising, distributing, service providing, and the like thereof.

References to “person”, “individual”, “human”, “a party”, “animal”,“creature”, or any similar term, as used herein, even if the context orparticular embodiment implies living user, maker, or participant, itshould be understood that such characterizations are sole by way ofexample, and not limitation, in that it is contemplated that any suchusage, making, or participation by a living entity in connection withmaking, using, and/or participating, in any way, with embodiments of thepresent invention may be substituted by such similar performed by asuitably configured non-living entity, to include, without limitation,automated machines, robots, humanoids, computational systems,information processing systems, artificially intelligent systems, andthe like. It is further contemplated that those skilled in the art willreadily recognize the practical situations where such living makers,users, and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention maybe in whole, or in part, replaced with such non-living makers, users,and/or participants with embodiments of the present invention. Likewise,when those skilled in the art identify such practical situations wheresuch living makers, users, and/or participants with embodiments of thepresent invention may be in whole, or in part, replaced with suchnon-living makers, it will be readily apparent in light of the teachingsof the present invention how to adapt the described embodiments to besuitable for such non-living makers, users, and/or participants withembodiments of the present invention. Thus, the invention is thus toalso cover all such modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the spirit and scope of such adaptations and modifications, atleast in part, for such non-living entities.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken aslimiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of theitems are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

It is understood that the use of specific component, device and/orparameter names are for example only and not meant to imply anylimitations on the invention. The invention may thus be implemented withdifferent nomenclature/terminology utilized to describe themechanisms/units/structures/components/devices/parameters herein,without limitation. Each term utilized herein is to be given itsbroadest interpretation given the context in which that term isutilized.

Terminology. The following paragraphs provide definitions and/or contextfor terms found in this disclosure (including the appended claims):

“Comprising” And “contain” and variations of them—Such terms areopen-ended and mean “including but not limited to”. When employed in theappended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure orsteps. Consider a claim that recites: “A memory controller comprising asystem cache . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the memorycontroller from including additional components (e.g., a memory channelunit, a switch).

“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may bedescribed or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In suchcontexts, “configured to” or “operable for” is used to connote structureby indicating that the mechanisms/units/circuits/components includestructure (e.g., circuitry and/or mechanisms) that performs the task ortasks during operation. As such, the mechanisms/unit/circuit/componentcan be said to be configured to (or be operable) for perform(ing) thetask even when the specified mechanisms/unit/circuit/component is notcurrently operational (e.g., is not on). Themechanisms/units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” or“operable for” language include hardware—for example, mechanisms,structures, electronics, circuits, memory storing program instructionsexecutable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that amechanism/unit/circuit/component is “configured to” or “operable for”perform(ing) one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35U.S.C. sctn.112, sixth paragraph, for thatmechanism/unit/circuit/component. “Configured to” may also includeadapting a manufacturing process to fabricate devices or components thatare adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.

“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or morefactors that affect a determination. This term does not forecloseadditional factors that may affect a determination. That is, adetermination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least inpart, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.”While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such aphrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being basedon C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expresslyspecified otherwise.

All terms of exemplary language (e.g., including, without limitation,“such as”, “like”, “for example”, “for instance”, “similar to”, etc.)are not exclusive of any other, potentially, unrelated, types ofexamples; thus, implicitly mean “by way of example, and not limitation .. . ”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing conditions,concentrations, dimensions, and so forth used in the specification andclaims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by theterm “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, thenumerical parameters set forth in the following specification andattached claims are approximations that may vary depending at least upona specific analytical technique.

The term “comprising,” which is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by” is inclusive or open-ended and doesnot exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. “Comprising”is a term of art used in claim language which means that the named claimelements are essential, but other claim elements may be added and stillform a construct within the scope of the claim.

As used herein, the phase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, oringredient not specified in the claim. When the phrase “consists of” (orvariations thereof) appears in a clause of the body of a claim, ratherthan immediately following the preamble, it limits only the element setforth in that clause; other elements are not excluded from the claim asa whole. As used herein, the phase “consisting essentially of” and“consisting of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified elements ormethod steps, plus those that do not materially affect the basis andnovel characteristic(s) of the claimed subject matter (see Norian Corp.v Stryker Corp., 363 F.3d 1321, 1331-32, 70 USPQ2d 1508, Fed. Cir.2004). Moreover, for any claim of the present invention which claims anembodiment “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of” a certain setof elements of any herein described embodiment it shall be understood asobvious by those skilled in the art that the present invention alsocovers all possible varying scope variants of any describedembodiment(s) that are each exclusively (i.e., “consisting essentiallyof”) functional subsets or functional combination thereof such that eachof these plurality of exclusive varying scope variants each consistsessentially of any functional subset(s) and/or functional combination(s)of any set of elements of any described embodiment(s) to the exclusionof any others not set forth therein. That is, it is contemplated that itwill be obvious to those skilled how to create a multiplicity ofalternate embodiments of the present invention that simply consistingessentially of a certain functional combination of elements of anydescribed embodiment(s) to the exclusion of any others not set forththerein, and the invention thus covers all such exclusive embodiments asif they were each described herein.

With respect to the terms “comprising,” “consisting of,” and “consistingessentially of,” where one of these three terms is used herein, thedisclosed and claimed subject matter may include the use of either ofthe other two terms. Thus in some embodiments not otherwise explicitlyrecited, any instance of “comprising” may be replaced by “consisting of”or, alternatively, by “consisting essentially of”, and thus, for thepurposes of claim support and construction for “consisting of” formatclaims, such replacements operate to create yet other alternativeembodiments “consisting essentially of” only the elements recited in theoriginal “comprising” embodiment to the exclusion of all other elements.

Moreover, any claim limitation phrased in functional limitation termscovered by 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) which has a preambleinvoking the closed terms “consisting of,” or “consisting essentiallyof,” should be understood to mean that the corresponding structure(s)disclosed herein define the exact metes and bounds of what the soclaimed invention embodiment(s) consists of, or consisting essentiallyof, to the exclusion of any other elements which do not materiallyaffect the intended purpose of the so claimed embodiment(s).

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.Moreover, it is understood that any system components described or namedin any embodiment or claimed herein may be grouped or sub-grouped (andaccordingly implicitly renamed) in any combination or sub-combination asthose skilled in the art can imagine as suitable for the particularapplication, and still be within the scope and spirit of the claimedembodiments of the present invention. For an example of what this means,if the invention was a controller of a motor and a valve and theembodiments and claims articulated those components as being separatelygrouped and connected, applying the foregoing would mean that such aninvention and claims would also implicitly cover the valve being groupedinside the motor and the controller being a remote controller with nodirect physical connection to the motor or internalized valve, as suchthe claimed invention is contemplated to cover all ways of groupingand/or adding of intermediate components or systems that stillsubstantially achieve the intended result of the invention.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerationsand compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimalmanufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and inparticular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercialimplementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of thepresent invention may configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

Adhesive wound dressings are known in the art. Some examples of theconventional adhesive wound dressings are illustrated in FIG. 1. Theconventional adhesive wound dressing structures include the usage ofpolymeric foams, polymeric films, particulate and fibrous polymers,hydrogels, and hydrocolloids for absorbing wound fluids and tissues. Adisadvantageous aspect of the conventional adhesive dressings is thatthe conventional adhesive wound dressings are typically designed forcovering wounds that occur on substantially flat locations on the humanbody. These conventional adhesive wound dressings are not suitable forapplication on distal extremities of the human body such as the tip onthe fingers and toes because these adhesive wound dressings, as thesedistal extremities typically have a curved profile.

At least one embodiment of the present invention is directed towards anadhesive wound dressing for treating wounds generally occurring ondistal extremities of the human body, which typically have curved,irregular, cylindrical, compound, moving or uneven surfaces. An aspectof an adhesive wound dressing is that a certain pre-determined tensionis advantageous for treating the wound in order to limit the fluidoutflow from the wound as well as to absorb the fluid exiting the wound.At least one embodiment of the present invention is directed towards anadhesive wound dressing that may be configured to snugly fit onto thedistal extremity of the human body, e.g., fingers or toes, whileapplying some tension onto the wound. At least one embodiment of thepresent invention is directed towards an adhesive wound dressing thatmay have an elastic and stretchable configuration.

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailedfigures and description set forth herein.

Reference is hereinafter directed to FIG. 2A through FIG. 4B. Differentviews of an adhesive wound dressing 10, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 2A through FIG. 4B. Theadhesive wound dressing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, comprises a first layer 12. In one embodiment, the firstlayer may include a water proof coating. In another embodiment, thefirst layer may also include and at least one gripping portion toprovide the user with a grip similar to when the user is not wearing anykind of wound dressing. In accordance with one embodiment, the firstlayer may be an outer braided shell. The adhesive wound dressing furthercomprises a second layer 14. In accordance with one embodiment, thesecond layer may be an inner scrim shell. The adhesive wound dressingfurther comprises a third layer. In accordance with an embodiment, thethird layer may be an inner gauze dressing 16. An advantageous aspect ofthe inner gauze dressing is that the inner gauze dressing is the portionof the adhesive wound dressing coming in contact with the wound fortreating the wound while absorbing wound fluids and tissues.

In accordance with one embodiment, the adhesive wound dressing may havea cylindrical configuration which is closed at one end. Morespecifically, the adhesive wound dressing may be shaped into thecylindrical shape after all of the layers, i.e., the first layer, thesecond layer, and the third layer of the adhesive wound dressing areassembled together. In one exemplary embodiment, the first layer, thesecond layer, and the third layer may be assembled together via pressingoperation, which may involve the first, second, and third layers to passthrough a series of rollers. Subsequent to the pressing of the first,second, and third layers, punching operation may be performed thereonfor obtaining the hollow cylindrical shape, within which a finger or atoe may be accommodated.

The adhesive wound dressing, in accordance with one embodiment, may befolded at the bottom to define a folded portion 18. The folding allows aportion of an inner surface of the adhesive wound dressing to be exposedinside out. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,an adhesive layer 20 may be provided at the folded portion. Inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive maybe pressure-sensitive, non-allergenic, and sterile. Examples of adhesivelayer may include acrylic or rubber based adhesive formulations. Anadvantageous aspect of the adhesive layer being provided on the foldedportion is that a user may insert a wounded part of the body, e.g., awounded finger, within the adhesive wound dressing, and the foldedportion may then be unfolded to allow the adhesive layer contact theskin of the user to secure the adhesive wound dressing onto the finger.In accordance with one embodiment, the adhesive layer may be provided onthe folded portion in different configurations, including but notlimited to, spaced apart adhesive rings, adhesive layer of apre-determined thickness, intermittently placed adhesive blocks, and thelike.

In one embodiment, the adhesive layer may be covered with a removablepaper backing 22 which protects the adhesive layer prior to deployment.FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B depict the steps involved in deploying the adhesivewound dressing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As seen in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, a wounded finger may beinserted within the adhesive wound dressing. Once the user adjusts theposition of the finger within the adhesive wound dressing, the removablepaper backing may be removed to expose the adhesive layer. Once theadhesive layer is exposed, the folded portion may be unfolded to allowthe adhesive to contact the skin to secure the wound dressing in place.

Another embodiment of an adhesive wound dressing is illustrated in FIG.5A through FIG. 8B. As seen in FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the adhesive layermay be provided adjacent an open end of the adhesive wound dressing andon the inner surface of the adhesive wound dressing. The open end of theadhesive wound dressing is that end in which a wounded body part is tobe inserted. As seen in FIG. 7A through FIG. 8B, the removable backingpaper has tabs 24 that can be used to remove the removable backing papersubsequent to the wounded body part being inserted in the adhesive wounddressing. Once the removable backing paper is removed, the adhesivelayer may contact the skin to secure the adhesive wound dressing inplace.

A schematic view of a scrim material used in the conventional adhesivedressings is illustrated in FIG. 9A. As seen in FIG. 9A, the yarns forthe scrim material has one or more wefts 31 arranged perpendicular toone or more warps 30. The yarn configuration illustrated in FIG. 9A issuitable for conventional adhesive wound dressings since theconventional adhesive wound dressings are typically designed to beapplied on substantially flat areas on the human body. As such, it isnot required for the yarn of the scrim material to have an elastic andstretchable configuration.

FIG. 9B illustrates a schematic view of a scrim material used in anadhesive wound dressing, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As seen in FIG. 9B, the yarns for the scrim material may bearranged in a bias-weave or ‘braided’ fashion, i.e., diagonally to thelongitudinal edge thereof. In accordance with one embodiment, the warp30 and the weft 31 may be at an angle of 45° to the machine direction ofthe tube. An advantageous aspect of such a yarn is that it provides theadhesive wound dressing device with inherent stretch and elasticity toapply some amount of tension on the wound when deployed. In accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the firstand the second layers of the adhesive wound dressing may be made usingthe bias weaved yarn. An advantageous aspect of the adhesive wounddressing that includes the usage of the bias-weave yarn is that whenstretched around a compound curve, irregular, moving or uneven surface,e.g., a finger or a toe, may do so with greater conformity and tensionthan relative to the conventional ‘flat’, ‘planar’, or ‘laminar’ wounddressings. Another advantageous aspect of the usage of the bias weaveyarn is that the dressing may narrow in width by virtue of the bi-axialbraiding, thereby imparting compressional transverse force. Thecompressional transverse force is applied along the length of theadhesive wound dressing on the wounded body part. Such a feature isadvantageous in wearable wound devices that are required to maintainintimate contact with wound at the wounded body part, for example inapplications for fingers, toes, and the like. In accordance with oneembodiment, the second layer is a hollow bi-axially braided cloth scrimcomprising interlocking fibers oriented to provide elasticity in atleast two directions, wherein the tubular hollow bi-axially braidedcloth scrim is laminated to the first layer. In accordance with anotherembodiment, the second layer includes tubular hollow bi-axially braidedcloth scrims configured at discrete locations along the length of theadhesive wound dressing, thereby providing resilience and elasticity tothe adhesive wound dressing to secure the adhesive wound dressing on thewounded body part of compound shapes.

Reference is hereinafter directed to FIG. 11. In accordance with oneembodiment, the first layer or a pliable outer layer may be extruded onto the second layer or the scrim. In one embodiment, the pliable outerlayer of the first layer may be on the order of 4-6 microns thick andmay be made of a known flexible plastic support material. In accordancewith one embodiment, the scrim or the second layer may be on the orderof 2-8 microns thick. In accordance with one embodiment, the bias weaveyarns or bi-axially braided yarns may be made from various types ofnatural and synthetic fibers. In accordance with one embodiment, forflexibility of the second layer or the scrim may have a low thread countto allow the same to be in taped roll form. In accordance with oneembodiment, the adhesive layer may be on the order of 3-6 microns thick.

In accordance with another embodiment, the adhesive wound dressing maybe assembled by individually producing and sequentially coating thedifferent layers. For example, the first layer or the pliable outerlayer and the second layer or the braided scrim may be individuallysupplied to an extruder to provide a tubular structure of these twocomponents. Adhesive layer may then be coated radially thereon by knowncoating techniques. Removable paper backing may be applied on theadhesive layer by known web application techniques.

Referring to FIG. 10, a single count of an adhesive wound dressing of aspecific length may be cut from a continuous hollow bi-axially braided‘tube’, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Theaforementioned ‘tube’ may include the first layer, the second layer, andthe third layer, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

One other alternative method to manufacture the adhesive wound dressingmay include the following steps: continuous braiding of the first layercloth or the outer shell; continuous internal braiding of the secondlayer; insertion of the gauze inner dressing; splicing of sub-rolls into master rolls; continuous coating application of the adhesive layer;circumferential application of the removable paper backing; and thecontrol of the speed and tension of the braiding operation to provideone of the ‘waisted’, ‘pinched’, ‘domed’ or closed end; and the cuttingindividual pieces of the adhesive wound dressing of pre-determinedlength to define the open end. FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate views of theadhesive wound dressing manufactured using the aforementioned methodsteps. In an alternative embodiment, a weaker and color differentiated‘joining lace 28’ may be woven in to the adhesive wound dressing duringmanufacture. The joining lace may be used to release the adhesive wounddressing without resorting to cutting instruments after use.

Referring to FIG. 11, another alternative method of manufacturing singlediscrete pieces of the adhesive wound dressing includes stamping from acontinuous flat web including the first layer, the second layer, and thethird layer, in which the pre-spaced internal cotton gauze or the thirdlayer may be positioned at regular intervals or in a spaced apartmanner. In an embodiment, the edges of the flat web may be progressivelycurled inwards to form a continuous tube.

Referring to FIG. 12, another alternative method of manufacturing singlediscrete, adhesive wound dressings includes a knitting or weavingtechnique. More specifically, the adhesive wound dressing may bemanufactured in a similar way as glove fingers are manufactured.Discrete pieces of the adhesive wound dressing may be manufactured froma single shell. In one embodiment, the shell may be designed to absorbthe wound fluids and tissue. In an embodiment, the adhesive wounddressing so manufactured may be coated or dipped externally with ahypo-allergenic, non-latex, stretch waterproof coating.

Referring to FIG. 13, an adhesive wound dressing manufactured via thestamping operation performed on a flat web, which has been progressivelyfunneled in to a tubular shape may be joined by a single weaker woventhread or joining lace 28. The joining lace may be typically colordifferentiated from the other threads appearing on the adhesive wounddressing. The joining lace may be used to remove the adhesive wounddressing after use without the need to use a separate cutting devicesuch as a pair of scissors.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC § 112 (1), all claims mustbe supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patentspecification, and any material known to those skilled in the art neednot be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC § 112 (6) requires thatstructures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35USC § 112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification.Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating andsearching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” or“steps for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)) functional limitation would have to beconducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policyfor broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTOwill have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents includingdisclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to actas corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in thebelow claims that are interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA112(f)) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosedin the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any inventionelement(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s),in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)),which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patentspecification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documentsfound during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate allsuch functionally corresponding structures and related enabling materialherein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structuresthat implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s)that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/orexamination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporateonly the portions of each of these documents discovered during thebroadest interpretation search of 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f))limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patentdocuments found during the course of normal USPTO searching and orsupplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporateby reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all suchdocuments comprising functionally corresponding structures and relatedenabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise anyinformation disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patentapplication by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^(rd) parties.Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the presentapplication to explicitly include citations to such documents and/orexplicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which wereincorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding tofunctional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that areinterpreted under 35 USC § 112(6) (post AIA 112(f)), which is/are notexplicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s)have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include theotherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portionsof such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated bysuch reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirementsof 35 USC § 112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documentsabove which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC § 112 (6)necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of theinstant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporatedby reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention,other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing adhesive wounddressing according to the present invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been describedabove by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed arenot intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.The particular implementation of the adhesive wound dressing may varydepending upon the particular context or application. By way of example,and not limitation, the adhesive wound dressing described in theforegoing were principally directed to adhesive wound dressing forsecure application on wounded body parts of compound shapes; however,similar techniques may instead be applied to self—sealing toy balloons,which implementations of the present invention are contemplated aswithin the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus tocover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling withinthe spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be furtherunderstood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoingspecification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects,advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b)requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the natureand gist of the technical disclosure. That is, the Abstract is providedmerely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify any key oressential features of the claimed subject matter. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret thescope or meaning of the claims.

The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detaileddescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment.

Only those claims which employ the words “means for” or “steps for” areto be interpreted under 35 USC 112, sixth paragraph (pre AIA) or 35 USC112(f) post-MA. Otherwise, no limitations from the specification are tobe read into any claims, unless those limitations are expressly includedin the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adhesive wound dressing comprising: a firstlayer being an outer layer; a second layer being a resilient layer andaffixed to an inner surface of the first layer; a third layer being aninner gauze dressing and affixed to an inner surface of the secondlayer, wherein the first layer, the second layer, and the third layerdefine a tubular configuration having an open end and a closed end; andan adhesive layer applied adjacent to the open end, the adhesive layerconfigured to secure the adhesive wound dressing to a wounded body partsubsequent to the wounded body part being inserted within the open end,wherein the second layer includes tubular hollow bi-axially braidedcloth scrims configured at discrete locations along the length of theadhesive wound dressing, thereby providing resilience and elasticity tothe adhesive wound dressing to secure the adhesive wound dressing on thewounded body part of compound shapes.
 2. The adhesive wound dressingaccording to claim 1, wherein a portion adjacent to the open end isfolded, and the adhesive layer is applied on the folded portion.
 3. Theadhesive wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layeris applied on an inner surface of the third layer adjacent to the openend.
 4. The adhesive wound dressing according to claim 2, wherein aremovable paper backing is applied on the adhesive layer.
 5. Theadhesive wound dressing according to claim 3, wherein a removable paperbacking having at least one holding tab is applied on the adhesivelayer.
 6. An adhesive wound dressing comprising: a first layer being anouter layer; a second layer being a resilient layer and affixed to aninner surface of the first layer; a third layer being an inner gauzedressing and affixed to an inner surface of the second layer, whereinthe first layer, the second layer, and the third layer define a tubularconfiguration having an open end and a closed end; and an adhesive layerapplied adjacent to the open end, the adhesive layer configured tosecure the adhesive wound dressing to a wounded body part subsequent tothe wounded body part being inserted within the open end, wherein thesecond layer is a hollow bi-axially braided cloth scrim comprisinginterlocking fibers oriented to provide elasticity in at least twodirections, said tubular hollow bi-axially braided cloth scrim beinglaminated to the first layer.
 7. The adhesive wound dressing accordingto claim 6, wherein the two directions in which the elasticity isprovided include longitudinal direction and axial direction of theadhesive wound dressing.
 8. The adhesive wound dressing according toclaim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a polymeric material.
 9. Theadhesive wound dressing according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layercomprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.
 10. An adhesive wound dressinghaving a tubular configuration, the adhesive wound dressing configuredto be applied on wounded body parts of compound shapes, the adhesivewound dressing comprising: a first layer being an outer layer, the firstlayer being made of a polymeric material; a second layer being aresilient layer and affixed to an inner surface of the first layer; athird layer being an inner gauze dressing and affixed to an innersurface of the second layer, wherein the first layer, the second layer,and the third layer define the tubular configuration having an open endand a closed end; and an adhesive layer applied adjacent to the openend, the adhesive layer configured to secure the adhesive wound dressingto a wounded body part subsequent to the wounded body part beinginserted within the open end, wherein the adhesive layer comprises apressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the second layer includes tubularhollow bi-axially braided cloth scrims configured at discrete locationsalong the length of the adhesive wound dressing, thereby providingresilience and elasticity to the adhesive wound dressing to secure theadhesive wound dressing on the wounded body.
 11. An adhesive wounddressing having a tubular configuration, the adhesive wound dressingconfigured to be applied on wounded body parts of compound shapes, theadhesive wound dressing comprising: a first layer being an outer layer,the first layer being made of a polymeric material; a second layer beinga resilient layer and affixed to an inner surface of the first layer; athird layer being an inner gauze dressing and affixed to an innersurface of the second layer, wherein the first layer, the second layer,and the third layer define the tubular configuration having an open endand a closed end; and an adhesive layer applied adjacent to the openend, the adhesive layer configured to secure the adhesive wound dressingto a wounded body part subsequent to the wounded body part beinginserted within the open end, wherein the adhesive layer comprises apressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the second layer is a hollowbi-axially braided cloth scrim comprising interlocking fibers orientedto provide elasticity along a longitudinal direction and an axialdirection of the adhesive wound dressing, said tubular hollow bi-axiallybraided cloth scrim being laminated to the first layer.
 12. The adhesivewound dressing according to claim 10, wherein the first layer includes ahypo-allergenic, non-latex, stretch waterproof coating, and at least onegripping portion.
 13. An adhesive wound dressing having a tubularconfiguration, the adhesive wound dressing configured to be applied onwounded body parts of compound shapes, the adhesive wound dressingcomprising: a first layer being an outer layer, the first layer beingmade of a polymeric material, and wherein the first layer includes ahypo-allergenic, non-latex, stretch water proof coating and at least onegripping portion; a second layer being a resilient layer and affixed toan inner surface of the first layer: wherein the second layer includestubular hollow bi axially braided cloth scrims configured at discretelocations along the length of the adhesive wound dressing, therebyproviding resilience and elasticity to the adhesive wound dressing tosecure the adhesive wound dressing on the wounded body part of compoundshapes, or wherein the second layer is a hollow bi-axially braided clothscrim comprising interlocking fibers oriented to provide elasticityalong a longitudinal direction and an axial direction of the adhesivewound dressing, said tubular hollow bi-axially braided cloth scrim beinglaminated to the first layer; a third layer being an inner gauzedressing and affixed to an inner surface of the second layer; whereinthe first layer, the second layer, and the third layer define thetubular configuration having an open end and a closed end; and anadhesive layer applied adjacent to the open end, the adhesive layerconfigured to secure the adhesive wound dressing to a wounded body partsubsequent to the wounded body part being inserted within the open end,wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 14.The adhesive wound dressing according to claim 6, wherein the firstlayer comprises a polymeric material.
 15. The adhesive wound dressingaccording to claim 6, wherein the adhesive layer comprises apressure-sensitive adhesive.
 16. The adhesive wound dressing accordingto claim 6, wherein a portion adjacent to the open end is folded, andthe adhesive layer is applied on the folded portion.
 17. The adhesivewound dressing according to claim 16, wherein a removable paper backingis applied on the adhesive layer.
 18. The adhesive wound dressingaccording to claim 6, wherein the adhesive layer is applied on an innersurface of the third layer adjacent to the open end.
 19. The adhesivewound dressing according to claim 18, wherein a removable paper backinghaving at least one holding tab is applied on the adhesive layer. 20.The adhesive wound dressing according to claim 11, wherein a removablepaper backing is applied on the adhesive layer.